How to Apply for Unemployment and Get Back to Work

Lost your job? Here’s how to file fast, protect your claim, and restart income while you hunt for your next role.

When paychecks stop, time matters. This guide shows you what to do in the first 48 hours, how to avoid common snags, and how to move toward work again. If you’re in Chicago, Illinois, start points and contact options may be set locally—use your area’s instructions to avoid delays.

Start here: what to do first

• File immediately in the state where you worked; your “benefit week” often starts the day you apply.
• Create a simple doc kit: photo ID, last employer’s name and address, last day worked, reason for separation, pay stubs/W-2, and direct deposit info.
• Open a claims account and set alerts (email/SMS) so you don’t miss identity verification or requests for documents.
• Learn the rhythm: most states require weekly or biweekly certification to keep payments moving. Put it on your calendar now.
• Keep a job-search log (dates, employers, outcomes). Many states ask for it during eligibility checks.
• If your hours were cut (not zero), check if partial benefits apply.

State rules, different outcomes: why weekly certifications trip people up

A tiny scenario: You get approved, then payments stop. Nothing changed—except you missed one weekly certification while traveling for an interview.

• Many states stop paying if you skip a weekly/biweekly claim—even when you’re still eligible.
• “Reopen” vs “new” claim is often confused; filing a new claim by mistake can delay payment.
• Short-term work may require you to report earnings for the week you worked, even if paid later.
• Some states ask work-search details weekly; incomplete entries cause holds.
• Pro move: set a repeating reminder and pre-fill your job-search notes so certification takes under five minutes.

The overpayment trap: how to avoid letters—and what to do if one shows up

A tiny scenario: A temp assignment bumps your earnings for two weeks; you report late and get an overpayment letter months later.

• Overpayment ≠ fraud by default; it can stem from timing or paperwork errors.
• Act fast: states have short windows to appeal or request a waiver when the error wasn’t your fault and repayment is a hardship.
• Keep pay stubs, job offers, and certification confirmations—these support appeals and waivers.
• If you’re back at work, ask about offset limits so repayment doesn’t zero out your budget.
• Call the agency and document every conversation (date, name, summary); follow with a short confirmation note in the portal if available.

"They started hitting me with the overpayment letters... 'we're gonna garnish your income tax [refund] and your bank accounts.'" — Shirley Baerg, Lake Stevens, WA
(Governing, Thousands in Washington May Have to Pay Unemployment Debts)

FAQs for Chicago, Illinois

References